Pages

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Some Richmond Progress, Blue Ribbons and a New Job!

Hello everyone!

I trust that all of you are keeping cool while your needles are flying! It has been hot here in the Shenandoah, however, over the past two days the heat has broken a bit and the humidity has thankfully lifted.

I do wish to mention a great giveaway over on Kim's blog Threadheads Unite. She is a stitchy/quilty person and is having not one but two giveaways...one for a stitchy person and one for a quilty person! Make sure to head over and check it out!

Well, I have been madly stitching away on Richmond Sampler. I *finally* finished the flowers on the top border! Woo Hoo!! Now, I get to start the lovely over one verse. I think that I am going to focus on two or three words a week. That way I can get started on the birds and the massive house. I apologize for the horrible pics. I have tried everything to get a good snapshot of this sampler and to no avail. However, I have included a couple of close-ups. Eventhough the flowers have been annoying me, they are rather pretty.

I decided to enter two of my latest framed pieces into our local county fair. And guess what??? I won FIRST PLACE for both!

Needlework is part of the 'Homemaking Division" and therefore shown with such things as knitting, crochet, canned goods, apparel, etc. Where were the quilts? Well, they were shown elsewhere. This is where I get a little hot under the collar. My stitching, along with the knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, and other hand crafts are shown in the 4-H Livestock show ring. Yes, you read that right. My beloved stitching was on a table right next to where the cows, sheep, goats and chickens were shown. The quilts, however, were shown in a large, air conditioned room separate from the livestock. The art show was in the same room, and get this, the horticulture exhibits. Yes, the plants were kept in an air conditioned room, free of dirt and debris while my precious stitching sat for six days in an open, dirt floor arena. Now please understand...I love quilts and I appreciate the time and effort that goes into making quilts and I do not in any way think that the quilts should be shown anywhere other than where they are currently shown. I DO think, however, that maybe the homemaking exhibits (which include my stitching) could be moved to the indoor room and the horticulture exhibits moved to the outdoor arena. Just a thought....

(stepping off of my soap box....)

Now, last but not least, I have more fabulous news to report. It is official, I was offered a full-time teaching position and I accepted!!! I am absolutely thrilled and I cannot wait to start (next week!...eek!) For many months, I have had my eye on the Lizzie*Kate design, "ABC Lessons," and told myself that as soon as I had a job I would buy it for myself. And that is exactly what I did.

I plan to stitch it and hang it in my classroom. I think that it will be perfect next to my desk. Thank you to all who have kept me and my job search in your thoughts and prayers. Your positive thoughts and well wishes worked! I am truly blessed to have such wonderful stitchy/blogging friends...you guys are the best!

21 comments:

HAPPY DANCE HAPPY DANCE!!! YES! You have a teaching job~~~ I know that must feel awesome!!! I love the flower border in Richmond, but am more thrilled for you in landing the job~~~ Way big congrats from me to you!!!

Woohoo, Valerie! I am happy dancing here for you! Terrific progress on the Richmond Sampler! Big congrats on the blue ribbons (so, who can you talk to about your valid concerns about where they display the needlework?) and a very big congrats on the new job! You are going to be fabulous!

Congratulations on your new job and your 2 first place ribbons! I absolutely LOVE Sara Schultz but both pieces are very deserving of their first place status. I agree that your needlework (or anyone's needlework, for that matter) deserves to be shown in a more appropriate environment - I would definitely try to bring it up with someone there.

Congratulations on your blue ribbons and on your teaching position! So much happy news! I have to agree with you about the stitching being displayed inside. I would probably be to scared to have my stitching in such a dirty area!

Hurray for you!! I know you're so excited about your new job and I can't wait to see the ABC's finished and ready for the classroom. Congratulations on your blue ribbons. I would be a bit ticked at the "homemaking" division showing with the livestock. Anyway, your beautiful pieces belonged with the art!!

A big Congrats on landing your teaching position. Wonderful news.Love the flowers in the border of the Richmond sampler. The Lizzie Kate design is just perfect to celebrate your new job.Congrats on winning two first place ribbons at the fair too.

Wow! Fantastic all around! Congratulations on the blue ribbons AND the new job! That is so exciting! And your Richmond Sampler is gorgeous! I definitely think that Lizzie Kate ABC Lessons will be perfect for your classroom -- and you definitely deserved to buy it too!

I am a new follower. I found your link on another blog and love the sampler you are working on. I agree with you on the county fairs. I recently went to a fair in my area and they had the needlework displayed in open area. I was also surprised at how scaled down the needlework and agriculture were. They had more food and retail vendors than every before and all of the horticulture, needlework, quilting, art and photography were in one small barn. Sad really! Congrats with taking away 2 blue ribbons.

Just found your lovely blog! Hello from Colorado!I totally agree about the change of venue for the stitching...I am from rural Canada and never entered my stitching in the local fair because of just that reason...dust dirt and manure!

Hi Valerie--Just got back from my week at the beach and so I'm catching up on my blog reading. I'm so excited to read all of your news--new job, first place ribbons, and oh, that beautiful Richmond Sampler...

I so enjoy your site but I couldn't contact you in private. Could you contact me at monkkc@gmail.com ........ I too am from the Shenandoah Valley and live in Middletown. VA .. would like to talk to you about samplers. Thanks, Kathy

Some giveaways to check out!

Search This Blog

Provence Sampler

About Me

Photography is my passion. I love capturing memories for my family and friends. I am lover of samplers - new and old! Stitching, reading, spending time with family and visiting historic places are my favorite pastimes. I have been happily married to my wonderful husband for seven years and have three adorable cats who are like my children. I enjoy sharing my stories and reading what others have shared. Comments are my favorite, so don't be afraid to tell me what you think!

Comments

I Love My Followers!

My Saturday SAL with Robin

Tree of Life Samplings - The Sparrow

Join the Fun!

Simon

Simon my Siamese enjoying the daffodils

Princess

Princess enjoying the outdoors like the tomboy she is!

One of my Favorite Quotes

“I admit it's tempting to wish for the perfect boss - the perfect parent - or the perfect outfit. But maybe the best any of us can do is not quit, play the hand we've been dealt, and accessorize what we've got."-Carrie (Sex and the City)